I have met some of my goals and fallen short on others. I set out to blog regularly for the first time ever. My goal was to blog daily during our 21 days of fasting and prayer. I blogged 12 times during that period, and a few times before and after. (I lost a little of my momentum when we were without electricity for a few days and then out of town for a few days.) I fell short of my goal, but I blogged more often than ever before. I’m good with that.

I set a goal of having three solid times of prayer each day during the fast. I averaged about two times each day. I’m good with that. I’ve had the best times of prayer and dialogue with God. His presence has been noticeable with me.

I set out to fast and pray for 21 days. I made it. I wanted to try alternating a few days with full fast and a few days with only fruits/veggies, instead of my previous pattern of starting with a full fast for 7 days, then switching to fruits/veggies. I achieved that, and liked the pattern. I’m good with that.

Setting goals helps me achieve more than I would without them. Even if I don’t achieve the full goal, I go way farther than I would without goals. I’m good with that.

Passion increased. Hearing God increased. Faith rose in me. This has been a fantastic time of fasting & prayer.

God has inspired me in my daily readings in the books of Acts & Genesis in the Bible.

I believe we are going to see God do surprising, amazing, powerful things in our services tomorrow.

I am learning to redirect my focus off of food and onto God. It really makes a difference. I wonder what other things distract me from my focus on God?

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40.28-31 NLT

Father, we declare that your people in this city are called a holy people, the redeemed of the Lord. We call this city “Sought Out,” “A City Not Forsaken.” Based on Isaiah 62.12

As we pray every day for Auburn and South King County, we are paving the way for a bright future. I believe that we are going to be known for the things that God is doing in our people. What God does is good!

We’re half way through the 21 Days of Fasting & Prayer. I am enjoying God’s presence, and listening more and hearing more than usual. If you’re not experiencing that, how can you make time for listening?

Listen intently. Expect to hear.

“Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4.30 NLT

This is my prayer for Auburn and South King County today… I want God’s power to be clearly seen. I pray that all of our churches that preach the name of Jesus - God’s only Son, the Savior of humanity - would see God’s power at work in their services. I pray that as followers of Jesus in our city interact with people - at work or at school, in their neighborhoods or families, at the store or in restaurants - that God’s power would show up. May God give supernatural wisdom and knowledge, power to heal or do miracles, faith and discernment to really help the people that they encounter. May God be recognized and may people turn to God in this city.

Unusual Sunday. Like a scene from the movie “I, Robot.” Three different pieces of equipment that we count on for worship and preaching decided not to work yesterday morning at the same time. It was as if the robots were revolting and taking over.

We still had an awesome service! My favorite part was praying together as a church at the end of services. We prayed for boldness to share our faith in Jesus with others; for God’s power to show up through signs and wonders as we interact with people in our lives during the week; and for spiritual awakening in Auburn and South King County.

We are laying the groundwork spiritually through our prayers for our city. Our city is going to be known as a place where God is doing amazing things in people’s lives! Let’s pray for boldness in our own lives today!

“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.” Acts 4.29 NLT

Keep going – you’re a third of the way to victory! It’s been great praying for Northwest Family Church this week, in addition to the things on our own prayer lists.

This next week, let’s pray for our City. Join me in praying for Auburn and South King County.

• Pray that many will hear about Jesus Christ, and put their faith in him.
• Pray for our city leaders – Mayor Pete Lewis, and the City Council, and their team.
• Pray for our firefighters and policemen.
• Pray for prosperity.

Let’s pray for God’s blessing on our city!

I hope to see you in our worship services today.

For those who are checking, I didn’t post on day 7. J

Fasting brings a reward from God! The best reward is a sense of God’s presence as we pray. He also answers prayer and changes the destiny of people, cities and churches!

¹⁶ “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. ¹⁷ But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. ¹⁸ Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

(Matthew 6.16-18 NLT)

My prayers have been changing. I’m listening more. Praying as God leads. Very cool.

I’m looking forward to services this weekend at Northwest Family Church! We’ve been praying all week for God to do great things in and through us. I’m praying that God will help us know him so well, that it changes everything in our lives - from the inside out. As we know him better, we want everyone to know God.

¹² But there’s also this, it’s not too late— 

                                God’s personal Message!—

                        “Come back to me and really mean it!

                                Come fasting and weeping, sorry for your sins!”

        ^13–14        Change your life, not just your clothes.

                                Come back to God, your God.

                        And here’s why: God is kind and merciful.

                                He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot,

                        This most patient God, extravagant in love,

                                always ready to cancel catastrophe.

(Joel 2.12-14 The Message Bible)

Listening! I know that God is always speaking. I haven’t always been a very good listener.

One of the things I like best about fasting & prayer is not only listening, but hearing. I did a listening exercise called Letter From God. I asked God to speak to me along the pattern of Jesus’ letters to the seven churches of Revelation in the Bible.

I prayed; I waited; I heard!

I am so encouraged by this two-way dialog with God.

I’m praying for NFC that God would cause your faith to rise. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10.17)

If you’re fasting, don’t give up. You can do it!

Stephen is my hero! I love his passion for God. I want to be like him. In fact, I named my first-born son after him.

When they needed leaders who were full of the Spirit and wisdom, they chose Stephen. He was responsible and full of faith.

“Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.” (Acts 6.8) When some unbelievers opposed him, “None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.” (Acts 6.10)

• As I pray for the people of our church today, I pray that you would be full of the Spirit.
• I pray that you’d be full of faith, and full of wisdom.
• I pray that you’d be full of God’s grace and power – that YOU would perform amazing miracles and signs among the people in your network of friends, co-workers and fellow students. That they’d experience the power of God and put their faith in Jesus – because of what they see in you!
• I pray that you’d be passionate for God.

Would you join me in praying for our church this way today?